I have a convertible..so I am not familiar with the m-sport intricacies, but you are misreading the options. The 640 has Dakota leather....the 650 is standard with Nappa leather (I may have the names reversed.) The $3000 option is to upgrade to the nicer leather throughout. The leather dash and contrasting stitching is an additional unrelated $1500 option up and above.

As I understand it, and only time will tell, the 650i is standard with an articulating sport seat...the luxury package adds massaging ang cooling....on the 640 you are paying for all 3 as it will be standard with a more basic seat.

anythingbuttime

10-08-2011, 04:35 PM

Though I could still be off on the difference, I couldn't imagine where those numbers of yours came from...then I remembered..they also make a coupe. Its odd how you (meaning I) can block things out when they don't make my radar.

83,000-73600=9400

But I still agree with you

TopDownInFL

10-09-2011, 07:43 AM

If we were looking at an apples-to-apples comparison of an equivalent base model 640 vs 650, you'd need to add the following to the 640:

I've had both the Dakota and Nappa leathers in previous cars - I definitely like the Nappa better, but don't know that I'd miss it. I also haven't driven either engine (which would be the biggest determining factor for me on selecting between the two)

Still can't figure out why the leather dash is twice the cost on the 640. I'm thinking they are trying to deter people from getting that option so the 650 is more opulent(?).

anythingbuttime

10-09-2011, 11:15 PM

Still can't figure out why the leather dash is twice the cost on the 640. I'm thinking they are trying to deter people from getting that option so the 650 is more opulent(?).

When the 640's were originally added to the 'build your own' engine, the dash was listed at the same $1500 as on a 650i. I was even questioning someone else who quoted the same price difference as you have and now I see why. has anyone seen the official pricing bulletin on this? It has to be another error in the 'build your own' database...

WilliCO

11-08-2011, 08:45 AM

Who are they marketing this car to? $8,000 between a 640 and a 650 at this price point...$3k of which is the leather upgrade? I am not seeing this sell well.Last night I read a very favorable review of the 640 on either InsideLine or MotorTrend.com. So this morning I ran out to BMWUSA to build one.

With the M-Tech package and a few other options important to me, it still rang up at almost $90,000. I was expecting a little more price differentiation.

I agree with you. If you are already spending $90,000, why not spend $95,000 and get the V8? Mileage differences between the two engines probably aren't significant enough to sway people shopping for cars in this price range.

As always, the 6 series is infuriatingly expensive from the perspective of someone considering an upgrade from a 5 series (me).

1985mb

11-08-2011, 10:46 AM

Most, if not all, BMW "entry level" models can be optioned up to be more expensive than base specs of their larger-engined brethren (probably twins to most of the buying public).

328>335
528>535>550
etc

The people who will option them equivalently will probably go for the larger engined model (650) at 5k premium. But then some people will go for a relatively lightly optioned 640 and pocket the almost 10k savings. Many people will lease, so at an assumed 5k in residualized savings that might be a ~150/month lower payment

TopDownInFL

11-08-2011, 04:37 PM

It has to be another error in the 'build your own' database...

Nope - saw a 640 when I purchased my 650 - the leather dash was $3K!

Superschnell

11-08-2011, 10:26 PM

As an owner of an "entry level" F12 (640i convertible) and living in a country where taxes makes it "easier" for you to chose the right car, it is interesting to follow the discussion from the side line. There are other forum members here from tax eager countries like Singapore, Denmark and Norway knowing what I am talking about ;)

Here a base 650i is priced 31% higher than an identically equipped 640i. This is because tax rate is accelerating with higher consumption and emissions. However only for the car, not for the options.
The result is that the 6 series is quite well equipped in base version, and no difference between 640 and 650. All options are also identically priced between the models.

With a similar close pricing between 640 and 650 like you have in the US, I think most people would choose the 650 here as well.
Said that I must admit that the 640 engine does an impressive job, there is always an excess of power to play with. The most significant difference to the 650 is the sound :)

And with the better mileage I have already saved the world :rofl:

mstrq

11-08-2011, 11:48 PM

640i is not available in Canada... And guess what? Base 650i convertible comes with Dakota leather. $4500 package has to be added to get Nappa leather (the package also gives 20-way seat adjustment, massager and seat heater+cooler). If 640i convertible saves me a cool $15k, I'll get that over 650i.

XZLR8

11-09-2011, 07:08 AM

I might have been interested in the 640i if xDrive would have been an option. I think you'd need at least a $10K difference in price, though, over the 650i.